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Hotel Pays $515K Penalty for Housing Migrants For Almost 2 Years In Westchester: Officials Hotel Pays $515K Penalty for Housing Migrants For Almost 2 Years In Westchester: Officials
Hotel Pays $515K Penalty for Housing Migrants For Almost 2 Years In Westchester: Officials Over 100 asylum-seeking families have vacated a Yonkers hotel after the city successfully sued the business for violating zoning and occupancy laws, officials announced. The families, housed at the Ramada by Wyndham on Tuckahoe Road since May 2023, have transitioned to permanent housing or shelters operated by New York City’s Department of Homeless Services (DHS). Their departure follows a legal battle in which the City of Yonkers took action against the hotel for failing to comply with city zoning, housing, and fire ordinances, Mayor Mike Spano announced on Monday, Jan. 27.  "While th…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
4 Firefighters Injured In Westchester Blaze, Families Displaced (UPDATE) 4 Firefighters Injured In Westchester Blaze, Families Displaced (UPDATE)
4 Firefighters Injured In Westchester Blaze, Families Displaced (Update) Four firefighters were injured while battling a blaze in Westchester that left multiple families without a home, officials said. The fire happened at 21 Van Cortlandt Park Ave. in Yonkers on Thursday, Jan. 16, and began on the third floor at around 1 p.m., according to the Yonkers Fire Department.  Deputy Chief of Personnel Joseph Citrone said four firefighters suffered minor injuries and conditions during the incident, such as sprains and heat exhaustion, and were hospitalized. They have all since been released from the hospital. No civilians were injured, Citrone added. Four f…

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by Ben Crnic
News
$2.5B 2025 Budget Proposed In Westchester: Here's Where Funding Would Go $2.5B 2025 Budget Proposed In Westchester: Here's Where Funding Would Go
$2.5B 2025 Budget Proposed In Westchester: Here's Where Funding Would Go If you're worried about tax increases, the proposed 2025 Westchester County budget may come as some relief.  The $2.5 billion proposed 2025 Westchester County operating budget was unveiled by County Executive George Latimer in a presentation given on Thursday, Nov. 7.  According to Latimer, the budget proposal maintains the same tax levy as the 2024 budget, making it the sixth consecutive year without an increase if it is passed. The proposal "prioritizes key areas such as public safety, emergency preparedness, housing, health and mental health services, as well as environmental …

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Building To Be Demolished Following Devastating Hudson Valley Fire Building To Be Demolished Following Devastating Hudson Valley Fire
Building To Be Demolished Following Devastating Hudson Valley Fire A Hudson Valley apartment building that was destroyed by a quick-moving fire will be demolished this week. The incident occurred in Rockland County around 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 3, at The Highlands  (the former Avalon Gardens) in Nanuet. According to Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann, the fire destroyed eight units, leaving all homeless. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but Rockland County Fire Coordinator Chris Kear said construction workers installing lighting may have hit a gas line, igniting the fire. He added the official cause of the fire is still pendin…

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by Kathy Reakes
Lifestyle
Pair Of Westchester Locales Among Best Places To Live In US, According To Brand-New Rankings Pair Of Westchester Locales Among Best Places To Live In US, According To Brand-New Rankings
Pair Of Westchester Locales Among Best Places To Live In US, According To Brand-New Rankings A pair of locales in the Hudson Valley are among the 300 best places to live in America, according to brand-new rankings. According to Niche, factors used in determining its rankings were: Public Schools Crime & Safety Housing Nightlife Good for Families Diversity The two communities selected from the Hudson Valley are both in Westchester County: Ardsley: No. 122: The village with a population around 5,000, "offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes," according to Niche, which also noted that "there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks," an…

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by Joe Lombardi
Police & Fire
Massive Apartment Building Fire Displaces More Than 100 Residents In Hudson Valley Massive Apartment Building Fire Displaces More Than 100 Residents In Hudson Valley
Massive Apartment Building Fire Displaces More Than 100 Residents In Hudson Valley A massive fire in the Hudson Valley destroyed numerous apartments and left almost 100 people displaced. The blaze broke out in Rockland County around 4 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 25 at the Surrey Carlton Apartments on Slinn Avenue in Spring Valley. According to the American Red Cross, by 5 p.m., Sunday some 63 adults and 83 children had signed up for assistance. The fire, which is believed to have started on the top floor, spread quickly, but no residents were injured, said ABC 7. One firefighter was treated and released at an area hospital after a roof collapsed on him, reported ABC 7.  Mo…

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by Kathy Reakes
Politics
New Poll Reveals How NYers Think Gov. Hochul Is Handling Job New Poll Reveals How NYers Think Gov. Hochul Is Handling Job
New Poll Reveals How NYers Think Gov. Hochul Is Handling Job Fresh polling shows a dip in New Yorkers’ satisfaction with Gov. Kathy Hochul’s handling of the job. A Siena College poll of registered voters released on Tuesday, Feb. 20, shows that Hochul’s favorability rating sits at 41 to 46 percent, down from 45 to 42 percent in January 2024. Her job approval rating also took a hit, sitting at 48 to 47 percent, down from 52 to 42 percent last month, the poll found. Voters were closely divided on whether Hochul is an effective or strong leader, and a plurality said she’s out of touch with average New Yorkers, the poll showed. It wasn’t all bad news f…

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
Hochul Signs Controversial ‘Clean Slate’ Law Sealing Most Criminal Convictions Hochul Signs Controversial ‘Clean Slate’ Law Sealing Most Criminal Convictions
Hochul Signs Controversial ‘Clean Slate’ Law Sealing Most Criminal Convictions Millions of New Yorkers will soon have their criminal convictions sealed under new legislation meant to better help them find jobs and housing. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the “Clean Slate Act” into law during a ceremony in Brooklyn on Thursday, Nov. 16. Under the new law, those with misdemeanor convictions will have their records sealed three years after their release from incarceration, while felony convictions will be sealed after eight years. Earlier Report: Suffolk County DA Accuses Lawmakers Of 'Protecting Criminals' With Proposed 'Clean Slate' Bill Class A felonies, which include m…

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by Michael Mashburn
Real Estate
Northern Westchester Town Cited For 'History, Horse Farms, Sprawling Estates' By NY Times Northern Westchester Town Cited For 'History, Horse Farms, Sprawling Estates' By NY Times
Northern Westchester Town Cited For 'History, Horse Farms, Sprawling Estates' By NY Times An in-depth profile from The New York Times has put the spotlight on a Northern Westchester town known for its history and impressive estates. The news outlet published a profile about life in the town of Bedford on Wednesday, Aug. 31. The report highlighted Bedford's "rural feel," with its characteristic stone walls, many miles of dirt roads, and horse farms, along with the "sprawling estates" some residents own. Evan Goldstein, a resident who moved to the town in 2020, told the publication that moving to Bedford with his family was "the best decision of our lives." The New York Times fu…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
Ida: 'This Is The Definition Of A Climate Crisis,' Says Hochul In Tour With Biden Of NY Damage Ida: 'This Is The Definition Of A Climate Crisis,' Says Hochul In Tour With Biden Of NY Damage
Ida: 'This Is The Definition Of A Climate Crisis,' Says Hochul In Tour With Biden Of NY Damage New York Gov. Kathy Hochul joined President Joe Biden to tour a neighborhood damaged by Storm Ida in the region. On Tuesday, Sept. 7, Hochul and Biden visited a neighborhood in Queens, which sustained damage from the heavy rainfall. Sen. Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand also visited the neighborhood. "Ladies and gentlemen, that is the definition of a climate crisis," Hochul said at a news conference that day. "We're experiencing a climate crisis as we speak, but more than talking about that, it's a humanitarian crisis." The governor added that she is grateful to Biden and the…

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by Nicole Valinote
Lifestyle
These Westchester Communities Among Best Places To Live, Brand-New Rankings Reveal These Westchester Communities Among Best Places To Live, Brand-New Rankings Reveal
These Westchester Communities Among Best Places To Live, Brand-New Rankings Reveal The Hudson Valley is well-represented in Niche’s brand-new 2021 Best Places to Live list. Crime, quality of schools, things to do, and cost of living were among the factors used in determining the rankings. Other factors are listed here. The top-ranked place to live in the Hudson Valley's seven counties is Chappaqua, which ranks 20th in the state. The Northern Westchester hamlet was cited for its public schools, being a good place for families, and housing. View the entry here. The next-highest ranked Hudson Valley is also in Westchester, No. 11 Greenville (Edgemont), followed by No. 24 Ar…

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by Joe Lombardi
Lifestyle
COVID-19: Larger Families Have Seen More Cases Of Virus, New Study Reveals COVID-19: Larger Families Have Seen More Cases Of Virus, New Study Reveals
Covid-19: Larger Families Have Seen More Cases Of Virus, New Study Reveals The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak not only targets densely packed cities and towns, but it also attacks poorer and rural communities where larger families live in smaller houses. A new study from the Wall Street Journal, which analyzed each of the countries 1,487 counties with at least 50 COVID-19 cases as of Sunday, June 7, found that the virus has been “stalking” households with families of more than five. "Across the country, the virus has spread more widely in places with the most crowded households, not necessarily places with the largest or densest populations,” the analysts s…

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by Zak Failla
News
Online Resource Connecting Crime Victims To Civil Legal Services Now Available In Hudson Valley Online Resource Connecting Crime Victims To Civil Legal Services Now Available In Hudson Valley
Online Resource Connecting Crime Victims To Civil Legal Services Now Available In Hudson Valley There is a new online resource offering free civil legal assistance to crime victims. The New York State Office of Victim Services announced the new federally-funded program can help people with some of the most common civil legal problems including child custody and other family issues, housing, finances, employment and immigration. The user-friendly, online resource -- which can be accessed by clicking here -- makes it easier for those individuals to get the assistance they need. In the Hudson Valley, residents of these counties are offered the new legal service: Dutchess, Orange, Putnam…

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by Jon Craig
Real Estate
New Apartments Planned For Iconic White Plains YMCA Site New Apartments Planned For Iconic White Plains YMCA Site
New Apartments Planned For Iconic White Plains YMCA Site One of the area’s biggest, busiest and most iconic YMCA locations is being torn down and replaced by apartments in White Plains. Last April, officials from the YMCA of Central and Northern Westchester announced that it would be selling its home at 250 Mamaroneck Ave. in White Plains. They stated that their intention was to move to a non-facility YMCA model that could offer new services for members. A Tennessee-based developer purchased the property in October last year and announced plans to tear down the building and replace it with an eight-story multi-family building with nearly 175 apar…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
This Hudson Valley County Ranks First In NY For Overall Health In 2019 This Hudson Valley County Ranks First In NY For Overall Health In 2019
This Hudson Valley County Ranks First In NY For Overall Health In 2019 For the second time in a year, Rockland County has ranked No. 1 in the state for overall health in the annual County Health Rankings Report, released Tuesday, March 19.  The overall health of a county is measured by two types of health outcomes: how long people live and how healthy people feel while alive.  Since 2013, Rockland County has been ranked one of the top three counties in the state for overall health and has ranked first three times. "Safeguarding the public's health is a priority in Rockland County," said County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert. …

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by Kathy Reakes
Real Estate
Hundreds Of New Apartments Proposed For 1133 Westchester Avenue Hundreds Of New Apartments Proposed For 1133 Westchester Avenue
Hundreds Of New Apartments Proposed For 1133 Westchester Avenue Developers in Westchester have announced a proposal to create more than 300 apartments in Westchester. Officials announced the proposal to the Common Council late last month. The plan would create 303 apartments in a commercial complex that already includes a daycare center and other businesses on Westchester Avenue in White Plains. Of the 303 proposed units, 10 percent would be deemed affordable, and the building would include solar energy options. According to reports, the development would not require any zoning changes and construction could begin as soon as next year. The proposal cal…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Westchester HS Grad Ocasio-Cortez Bans Press From Town Hall Forum Westchester HS Grad Ocasio-Cortez Bans Press From Town Hall Forum
Westchester HS Grad Ocasio-Cortez Bans Press From Town Hall Forum Does the young Democratic Socialist upstart, upsetter from Westchester and the Bronx support a Free Press, or not?  The 28-year-old Congressional candidate banned the news media from a Town Hall meeting after news reporters "mobbed her" during an earlier New York event, according to this report in the Queens Chronicle.  Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted on Monday, Aug. 13 that stops on her listening tour throughout the district, like the one held a day earlier in Corona, are “intended for lively, compassionate discourse with a diversity of viewpoints.” The Democratic candidate and…

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by Jon Craig
Business
Nearly 600 'Distressed Mortgages' Bought In High Foreclosure Regions Nearly 600 'Distressed Mortgages' Bought In High Foreclosure Regions
Nearly 600 'Distressed Mortgages' Bought In High Foreclosure Regions Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the state's Community Restoration Fund has purchased 172 mortgages in an effort to bring owners in targeted communities out of foreclosure and keep the homes from abandonment.  According to this article in Daily Voice, foreclosures are at an 11-year high in New York state, while nationwide they are at an 11-year low.  The Community Restoration Fund has helped strengthen the financial position of homeowners, bringing stability back to the housing market in neighborhoods across the state, and preventing so-called "zombie properties," Cuomo said. Thi…

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by Jon Craig